Coupling means for camera attachments



June 4,1 946. H NAGEL I 2,401,367

COUPLING MEANS FOR CAMERA ATTACHMENTS Fil ed March 22, 1945 INVENTOR. HENRYK N/IGEL.

- www- Patented June 4, 1946 cournmo MEANS roe mm ATTACHMENTS 'Henryk Nagel, Bronx, N. Y., aasignor to Practo I a Photo Accessories Com, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application March 22, 1945, sens: No. $4,143

.6 Claims. (Cl. sa-1 This invention relates to improvements in Or relating to coupling devices, and more especially to devices which enable theconnection' and disconnection between parts of a camera or like instrument.

It is one of the oblects-of this invention to provide means for coupling parts of cameras and a the like which means are inexpensiveto manuv iacture, eiiicient and practical in use and operation, and easy in manipulation.

It is another object of the invention to provide means affording uniform, close and firm surface engagement with one part which is. to

be coupled to another part.

It is still another object of the present invenera (indicated in dot-dash lines) to connect the latter with a lens'shade. 'partsof which being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a side-elevational view, partly in section. of the sleeve member employed in the coupling device.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 with the coupling device in operative position.

tion to provide adjustable coupling or attachin means fitted for being applied to or over a Part or parts of various dimensions and assuring in adjusted or operative position on said parts equal, even and uninterrupted surface contact therewith. i.

It is a further object of this invention to Provide meanscapable oifrictionally emasing or embracing a relatively short and smooth, preferably cylindrical surface on which said means may be tightened, thereby permitting speedy coupling between mechanicaLparts, preferably ofgcameras, which parts may have different diameters with respect to one another.

Yet, a further object of this invention is to provide coupling means which are well adapted to fit standard constructions of lens barrels of cameras and to removably connect the latter Q with optical means, such as a light filter, lens shade, and other light regulating or conditioning means. 1 1

Still. a further object of the present invention is topmvide a coupling device which may be used in connection with a camera as well. as apart from the latter and may serve the purpose of receiving and holding a camera accessory and of fanning a receptacle therefor with a lid, if so desired.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in certain features of novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts by which the aforesaid and several other objects,

hereinafter set forth, are effected, all as fully described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a side-elevational view oi the coupling device made in accordance with this invention, illustrated partly ,in section and in inoperative position and applied to the lens barrel of a cam- Fig. 4 is a longitudinal, sectional view through a receptacle with the sleeve member in inoperative position.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to thatof Fig. 4'with the sleeve member in operative position.

Referring now in particular to the annexed drawing, there is disclosed a coupling device Bil having the sleeve member ll anda tubular hold-. ing member I. Holding member 61 has two in- .ner'threaded portions '2. at which both extend in horizontal direction but are positionedon two diiferent levels 12a, lid, respectively, as indi-- cated in Fig. 1.

The ends of threaded portion It Join respec tlve inclined wall extensions I, 6i which are 'directed in parallel relation with respect to each other. Holding member ll has further the inner abutment or annular rim '8 and the outer.

gripping or knurled surface 81 which facilitates manipulation of holding member 8|. 4

The aforementioned sleeve member III has the outer knurled flange portion Q8 and the inner annular abutment 0r proiection 69. Between knurled portion at and annular projection 69 there extend inclined outer surface portions II,

12 which are directed in parallel relation with.

respect to each other, and further a cylindrical threaded portion i8 positioned between said surface portions II and I2. Sleeve III has the split ends It, 15 having a substantially central proiection and recess, respectively, and being of;

v-shaped formation which prevents lateral displacement of said ends 14, I8 relatively to each other and allows a certain guidance of said ends when said holding member is brought in engagement with said sleeve member. Said split ends thereby approach each other in circumferential direction ci-said sleeve 10. i

As can be realized from Figs. 1 and 3, a lens shade, light conditioning or other optical implement ll may threadedly engage at i! the threaded portion 82 of holding member ii. In order to couple said implement Ii, for example, to the lens barrel of a camera, sleeve member 10 is.

slid over the surface 78 of said barrel 80 until the free end I! of said barrel abuts against the inner 5 rim projection as of sleeve member 10. It now into engagement withthe threaded portion 83 of the holding member II, the inclined surface portions Ii and I2 of sleeve member I will be forced against the inclined extension walls 64, 85, respectively, of the holding member and since the contact of said surface portions of said wall extensions will occur substantially simultaneously, the inner cylindrical surface 8| of sleeve member 10 will be pressed against the outer surface 18 of the lens barrel 00 while the distance between said split ends 14, is reduced and said sleeve member 10 thus contacted to thereby frictionally engage by means of its inner wall 0| the surface 18 of the forward end of the barrel 90.

Thus, a smooth and uniform frictional pressure will be exerted along the contact surface 18 ofthe lens barrel l9 and the inner cylindrical surface 0| of sleeve II. It is well understood that the approach of ends 14, II and the decrease of the space 02 will occur gradually but substantially equally. It will be further observed that by operating knurled portion 00 of sleeve member 10 in adirection for disengagement of the threaded portions ll, ",speedy separation of implement II from the lens barrel 00 may be brought about.

It is obvious that sleeve II-may be applied to various parts of cameras, etc., having different diameters in which the inner diameter of said sleeve may be modified and adjusted within small limits (several thousandths of an inch), thereby tween all inclined portions of the sleeve member providingalways an even and continuous surface contact therewith.

Fig. 4 depicts the application of the invention to a lens cap 99 having the closed bottom 9| and the circular wall 92. The inner surface of wall 92 has the cylindrical threaded portion 93 and the inclined portions ll, 95. Threaded portion 93 of cap 90 may be brought into engagement with sleeve member 99 having the inner threaded cylindrical portion 91 and the inclined surface portions 98, 99.

It is well understood that inclined wall portions 94 and 95 are disposed in parallel relation to each other and that surface portions 98 and 99 like- .wise' extend in parallel arrangement to each other. Surface portion 98 terminates into. inner projecting rim I00 which is adapted to abut against the forward end of the lens barrel whose opening is to be covered by cap 90. Upon threaded engagement of sleeve member 96 with cap 90, the inner cylindrical surface I0! of sleeve member 99 will frictionally embrace the lens barrel surface as explained hereinabove with reference to Figs. 1 and 3.

In the event that cap 90 together with sleeve member 98 is removed from said lens barrel, the

' by cap 90, sleeve member 98 and lid I05.

It will be seen from Fig. 5 that in the operative position in which sleeve member 96' threadedly engages cap 90 and is frictionally urged against surface I" of lid I05, the cotton or like pads I03, ill will be somewhat compressed, holding lens I02 or like accessory in protected and'encased position within said receptacle.

It will be further noted that thedistance ill between the split ends I01, I 00 of the sleeve member 96 is considerably reduced from the inoperative position, as exemplified in Fig. 4, to said cated in Fig. 5.

It will be observed that adequate contact beas well as of the tubular member as illustrated in the embodiments of Figs.- 1 to 3 is to be ensured so as to avoid distortion of the cylindrical shape of the sleeve member which would occur due to premature contact at one of its ends only. Therefore, the length of the inclined wall extension 04 It is well understood that any suitable material,

such as metal, or non-metallic masses, with as plastic or plastic composition, may be used the sleeve and/0r tubular holding member.

The receptacle as shown in rm. 4 and 5 may.

' not only be used as a fltler box but maybe I}, plicable with certain variations to containers for I use in jewelry and cosmetic industry.

It can thus be seen that according to this in;

vention, there has been provided a device for coupling together two adia'centelements used in connection with cameras and other devices or instruments, comprising a tubular member for holding one of said elements, a sleeve member provided with an inner, substantially cylindrical wall to flt over said other element, a projecting ring portion forming one end of said cylindrical wall and an abutment for the end of said other element when said sleeve member is in engagement with said other element, said sleeve member being provided with an outer, horizontal threaded surface portion and with a tapered portion extending from each end of said threaded portion of said sleeve member, said tapered portions of said sleeve member being arranged substantially parallel to each other, said holding member being provided with an inner, horizontal threaded portion and with a tapered extension wall extending from each end of said inner threaded portion and being substantially parallel to each other, said tapered extension walls being pressed against said tapered portions of said sleeve member upon engagement of said threaded portion of said sleeve member with that of said holding member, said sleeve member being provided with spaced-apart split ends, whereby upon engagement of said sleeve member with said holding member the distance between said split ends is reduced and said sleeve member contracted to thereby frictionally embrace by means of its inner cylindrical wall said other element adjacent the one end thereof.

While there have been shown'and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the above embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device above described and illustrated and the operation thereof may be made Having thus described the invention. what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

l. A device for coupling together two adjacent elements used in connection with cameras and like precision instruments, comprising a tubular member for holding one of said elements, a sleeve member provided with an inner substantially cylindrical wall to fit over said other element, a projecting ring portion forming one end of said cylindrical wall and an abutment for the end of said other element when said sleeve member-is in engagement with said other element, said 'sleeve member being provided with an outer, horizontal threaded surface portion and with a tapered portion extending from each end of said threaded portion of said sleeve member, said tapered portions of said sleeve member being arranged substantially parallel to each other, said holding member being provided with an inner, horizontal threaded portion and with a tapered extension wall extending from each end of said inner threaded portion and being substantially parallel to each other, said tapered extension walls being pressed against said tapered [portions of said sleeve member upon engagement of said threaded portion of said sleeve member with that of said holding member, said sleeve member being provided with spaced-apart split ends, whereby upon engagement of said sleeve member with said holding member the distance between said split ends is reduced and said sleeve member contracted to thereby frictionally embrace by means or its inner cylindrical wall said other element adjacent the one end thereof. 2. A device for attaching light regulating means to the lens barrel of a camera and for removal therefrom; comprising a tubular member for holding said regulating means, a sleeve member provided with an inner substantially cylindrical wall to fit over said lens barrel, 3. projecting ring portion forming one end of said cylindrical wall and anabutment for the end of said lens barrel when said sleeve member'is in engagement with said lens barrel, said sleeve member bein provided with an outer, horizontally directed threaded surface portion and with a tapered portion extending from each end of said threaded portion of said sleeve member, said tapered portions of said sleeve member being arranged substantially parallel to each other, said holding member being provided with an inner, horizone tally directed threaded portion and with a tapered extension wall extending from each end of said inner threaded portion and being substantially parallel to each other, said tapered extension walls engaging said tapered portions of said sleeve member when said threaded portions of said sleevemember and of said holding member are in engagement with each other, said sleeve member being provided with spaced-apart split ends, whereby upon engagement of said sleeve member with said holding member the distance between said split ends is reduced and said sleeve member contracted to thereby frictionally embrace'by means of its inner cylin'drical wall said lens barrel adjacent said one end.

3. A device for attaching light regulating means to the lens barrel of a camera and for removal therefrom: comprising a tubular member connected with said regulatin means, a sleeve member, connectable with said lens barrel, a projecting ring portion on said sleeve member form- 6 ing an abutment for the forward end of said lens barrel when said sleeve member is in engagement with said lens barrel. said sleeve member being provided with a horizontally directed threaded surface portion and with a tapered portion; extending from each end of said threaded portion of said sleeve member, said tapered portions of said sleeve member being arranged at different levels, respectively, and being substantially parallel to each other, said tubular member bein provided with a horizontallydirected threaded portion engageable with said threaded portion of said sleeve member, a tapered extension wall extending from each end of said threaded portion said threaded portions of said sleeve member and of said tubular member are brought into enga ement with each other, said sleeve member being provided with spaced-apart split ends, whereby upon said engagement the distance between said split ends is reduced and said sleeve member contracted so as to effectuate connection between said lens barrel and said sleeve member by frictional eng ement with one another.

4. A device for attaching one element to another element of a camera or like recision apparatus and for removal from one another; comprising a tubular member for holding one of said elements, a sleeve member connectable with said other element, said sleeve member being provided with an outer, horizontally directed threaded surface portion and with a tapered portion extending from each end of said threaded portion of said sleeve member, said tapered portions of said sleeve member being arranged at diflerentllevels and extending substantially parallel to each other, said holding member being provided with an inner, horizontally directed threaded portion engageable with said threaded portion of said sleeve member, a tapered extension wall extending from each end of said inner threaded portion of said holding member and parallel to each other, said tapered extension walls engaging said tapered portions of said sleeve member when said threaded portion of said sleeve member engages said threaded portion of said holding member,

said sleeve member being provided with spacedapart split ends, whereby upon engagement of tally directed threaded surface portion and with a tapered portion extending from each end of said threaded portion of said sleeve member, said tapered portions of said sleeve member being arranged substantiaily parallel to each othensaid one element beingprovided with an inner, hori-- zontally directed threaded portion engageable with said threaded portion of said sleeve member, a tapered extension wall extendin from each end of said inner threaded portion of said one element, said tapered extension walls being parallel to each other and being engageable with said tapered portions 01' said sleeve member when said threaded portion 01' said sleeve member engages said threaded portion of said one element; said sleeve member being provided with spaced-apart 7 split ends. whereby upon engagement of said sleeve member with said One element the distance between said split ends is reduced and said sleeve member contracted to thereby frictionaliy embrace said other element to bring about tight connection between said lements.

6. A receptacle having a cap-shaped element and a closure element therefor for connection with and for removal from one another, comprising a sleeve member, said sleeve member being provided with an outer, horizontally directed threaded surface portion and with a tapered portion extending from each end of said threaded portion of said sleeve member, said tapered portions of said sleeve member being arranged substantially parallel to each other, said cap-shaped element being provided with an inner, horizon- 8 tallydirected threaded portion engageable with said threaded portion of said sleeve member, a-

tapered extension wall extending from each end of said inner threaded portion of said cap-shaped element, said tapered extension walls being parallel to each other and being engageable with said tapered portions of said sleeve member when said threaded portion of said sleeve member engages 

